Courses
Preparatory Courses
For students with an academic background in non-economics or related disciplines:
This preparatory course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of microeconomic theory. More specifically, the course covers consumer theory, theory of the firm, cost theory, demand, supply and market equilibrium, elasticities, and different market structures.
For students with a background in economics and related disciplines:
Biosystems are a key tool of the Bioeconomy and encompass a wide variety of living organisms and their products, ranging from bacteria to animals and plants. A basic understanding of their characteristics at the molecular and organisational levels is essential for understanding how they function.
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the current state of scientific knowledge concerning the characteristics of biological systems relevant to the Bioeconomy.
The following key topics will be covered: (a) the basic components of biological systems, from the cell to the ecosystem; (b) microbial, animal and plant cell factories; (c) principles of energy use and the bioconversion of biomaterials in living organisms; (d) the flow of information in living organisms; (e) gene technology; and (f) protein technology.
Biological systems consist of a set of interdependent physicochemical interactions confined within a specific space—the cell. Understanding how these systems function requires a fundamental knowledge of the basic principles of physics and chemistry.
These principles are introduced in this course with the specific aim of enabling graduates with a background in economics to communicate effectively with graduates in the natural sciences, facilitating collaboration in joint business ventures.
The course covers the following topics at a fundamental level: chemical properties of elements and molecules; formation of chemical bonds; chemical reactions and intermolecular interactions; physicochemical parameters, including acidity, salinity, pressure, temperature and osmosis; electrochemical changes and electromagnetic radiation; diffusion and transport phenomena; and the basic principles of thermodynamics, including energy and entropy.
For all students:
The course covers the fundamental principles of econometrics, namely the application of mathematics and statistics to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative economic data.
It provides a detailed introduction to how empirical researchers apply econometric methods to real-world problems, using them as tools to address questions in areas such as business, policy evaluation, and the forecasting of economic variables.
Semester 1
This course introduces postgraduate students to the concepts of bioeconomy, circular economy and sustainable development. It provides a historical overview of the transition from the Industrial Revolution and the linear production model to today’s circular production systems, which aim to minimise residual materials and waste.
The course examines the economic, social and environmental need for the transition towards a new era of sustainability, as well as the policies that have emerged and the ongoing developments aimed at further advancing an economy that is environmentally and socially sustainable. It also explores the economic, social and environmental benefits associated with this transition.
These issues are discussed within the broader framework of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rapid economic growth around the world is putting future generations at risk, as significant concerns arise regarding the depletion of natural resources and the emergence of serious environmental problems. At the same time, the biotechnology sector is expanding rapidly worldwide, driven by new scientific and technological developments.
This course aims to provide students with knowledge in two key areas. At the macroeconomic level, topics include the environment as a form of economic capital; income and natural resources; ecosystem valuation; population and national income in relation to sustainable development; the role of institutions; and economic growth models, with particular emphasis on the role of technology, innovation and sustainable development.
At the microeconomic level, emphasis is placed on invention and its protection; the economics of patents; patent metrics and their relationship to firm value; knowledge spillovers; and other important forms of intellectual property rights, including trademarks and plant variety rights.
In today’s constantly evolving economic environment, the aim of this course is to provide students with specialised and up-to-date knowledge of financial analysis and risk management, with particular emphasis on the challenges faced by businesses operating in the bioeconomy sector.
More specifically, the course combines theoretical and practical knowledge through the analysis of case studies covering various sources of business financing, the evaluation of investment projects, and the identification and management of financial and business risks across a wide range of industries and technological sectors.
Financial analysis is a fundamental component of business strategy and growth. In particular, understanding how to use financial indicators and resources effectively, and how to evaluate potential investment projects in order to maximise return on investment, are essential elements of business success.
The range of products based on biological processes is extensive, encompassing both final consumer goods and intermediate materials and services. This course presents the main industrial sectors and products based on biotechnology.
Students gain knowledge of the properties and characteristics of biologically derived resources and their intermediate products, learn about quality standards and the uses of products such as food, animal feed, fuels and fibres within the framework of the bioeconomy, and become familiar with methodologies for improving the quality of resources and products.
Particular emphasis is placed on the food and cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The concept of the biorefinery is also introduced within the context of sustainable and environmentally responsible development.
For each sector, the course examines the key characteristics of the relevant biological resources, the quality requirements associated with the use of final products, and the processes involved in optimising production.
Semester 2
It covers a broad range of topics, from the initial challenge of transforming a technological idea into a viable business model—and therefore developing the ability to prepare a successful business plan—to the management of a company. Key areas include company valuation, leadership, strategic issues, corporate partnerships and business growth.
The course also addresses key issues related to internationalisation, including the nature of global business, the development of international skills and capabilities, the role of strategic alliances, competitiveness, and the identification of international business opportunities.
Finally, the course concludes with a discussion of future challenges in the field.
This course combines theoretical and practical approaches to examine the production processes and technologies that constitute Industrial Biotechnology in manufacturing facilities.
It provides both theoretical and practical knowledge of life cycle assessment (LCA) and introduces techno-economic studies, together with case studies involving comprehensive cost-benefit analysis./οφέλους.
Securing capital for investment in the biotechnology sector is a critical issue in this market. This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the key mechanisms for evaluating and identifying potential sources of financing for a business, in conjunction with the management and safeguarding of its inputs and inventories.
The course examines empirical case studies focusing on the financing, returns and management of business plans for biotechnology companies. The analysis is conducted using specialised software, enabling each student to evaluate different scenarios for various forms of investment or the introduction of a new product in the bioeconomy.
Within this framework, developments in inventory management are also examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives, with particular emphasis on the role of financing.
This is a thematic course focusing on the economic analysis of specific sectors of the bioeconomy. It introduces the essential tools required to address problems and challenges associated with economic decision-making and its environmental impacts.
Key concepts covered include definitions and fundamental principles, energy balances, energy flow diagrams, environmental costs, and energy supply and demand. The course also examines methods for incorporating external costs—both environmental and social—into market mechanisms and decision-making processes. Students are introduced to key methods and techniques for valuing energy resources and environmental goods.
Case studies from sectors such as fisheries and forestry are also discussed. Finally, the course covers fundamental techniques for evaluating high-technology equipment.
This course examines the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including issues related to the bioeconomy and circular economy, through both theoretical approaches and practical applications.
Particular emphasis is placed on tourism, a highly dynamic sector of the economy, as well as on local government, which is increasingly required to respond to contemporary economic, social and environmental challenges.
The course is complemented by specific case studies and practical applications from Greece and around the world.
The course begins with an examination of maritime transport, its distinctive characteristics and its importance to both the national and global economy. It then focuses on the concept of sustainable development and its multidimensional characteristics as they apply to the shipping sector today.
The course examines current policies and regulations adopted by various international organisations, as well as issues of environmental management within the broader framework of economic development, as reflected in international conventions, protocols, declarations and directives.
Particular emphasis is placed on United Nations regulations; the International Maritime Organization (IMO); the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP); international regulations and conventions including MARPOL, SOLAS and STCW 95; Short Sea Shipping; Combined Transport; the European Union’s policy on sustainable development in transport and shipping; and the EU Green Paper on an Integrated Maritime Policy.
This course builds upon the course Biological Resources and Bioproducts, focusing specifically on the food and energy sectors. It combines economics and biosystems, examining industrial systems in these sectors alongside the business and economic transformations associated with their development.
The aim of this course is to introduce and provide an in-depth examination of all key aspects of risk management in real estate investment, a rapidly growing sector in Greece, with particular emphasis on investments in “green” and bioclimatic commercial office buildings.
More specifically, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development have become an integral part of the operations of Real Estate Investment Companies (REICs) listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. The corporate strategies and business activities of institutional real estate investors are founded on a commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably. This commitment is reflected across all aspects of their activities, from investment initiatives to corporate responsibility programmes.
In today’s environment, economic success can generate long-term benefits only when it is combined with environmental and social sustainability.
Focusing on advanced financial topics related to energy markets, the main objective of this module is threefold: to provide an in-depth theoretical coverage, to develop a critical discussion of empirical and statistical implications of the theoretical approaches, and to build hands-on computing experience using R and other statistical software. By the end of the module, students will be able to appreciate theconnections between energy markets and financial markets, the empirical methods used to test these connections, and to draw conclusions on financial speculation and arbitrage opportunities arising in those markets.
Topics include:
Energy markets and Financial Options and Stocks: terminology, types, calls, puts, European options, American options, long and short positions, markets, spreads, collars, butterflies. Brent oil options, electricity options, natural gas options.
Financial options pricing. Binomial, and Black and Scholes (1973). Implied volatility. Use of the R language to value financial options on energy stocks and renewable
energy stocks.
Electricity options and hedging financial risks faced by energy producers.
Energy stocks, options on energy stocks. Linkages between energy stocks and options on energy stocks. Linkages between oil prices and stock prices. Empirical
applications. Using statistical software for empirical applications.
Applied portfolio analysis for energy stocks using statistical software: Energy stock portfolios: Expected returns, risks. Efficient energy stock based portfolios. Risk- pricing under equilibrium. Energy betas. Finding the best financial investments in energy stock portfolios.
Risks faced by investors in energy stocks. Measurement of risks using contemporary approaches. Hedging against those risks using energy derivatives markets.
CO2 emissions and financial risk. 2015 Paris Climate Accord. Transmission links between climate risk and financial risk, physical risks, transition risks, and empirical evidence. Banking profitability and climate risks. Use of a statistical package to estimate the relation between CO2 emissions and financial risk. Climate stress testing.
Semester 3
This course examines the institutional framework governing the bioeconomy, circular economy and sustainable development, both in Greece and internationally.
It also explores the national strategies developed by Greece and other countries in these areas, as well as the priority areas through which European and international programmes are utilised to support and advance these strategies.
The course focuses on the transition towards a climate-neutral economy, examining contemporary financial instruments such as green bonds and green loans, ESG indicators, and FinTech/GreenTech technologies.
Students acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of current trends in sustainable finance, the application of technology in the financial sector, and the requirements of the European Green Deal.
The course aims to develop students’ ability to critically evaluate investment instruments and ESG indicators, enabling them to respond effectively to the evolving conditions of the business and financial environment.
This course aims to provide postgraduate students with the knowledge required to understand the business opportunities and benefits associated with sustainable development.
The course presents a roadmap for developing a corporate responsibility action plan, followed by an examination of its structure and its integration with management practices. It also explores how corporate responsibility can enhance a company’s competitiveness and outlines the steps involved in preparing and publishing a sustainability report.
This course connects the circular bioeconomy and industrial–urban symbiosis with the new business opportunities created by Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies.
Students examine how waste, by-products and secondary resources can be transformed into new inputs, partnerships and circular business models, and how tools such as Digital Twins, Digital Product Passports and Agentic AI can be used to identify opportunities for industrial symbiosis, match available resources with business needs, simulate alternative scenarios and support strategic decision-making.
Through real-world applications and case studies, the course demonstrates how the combination of circularity and AI can lead to more efficient resource use, new sources of value, innovation, and more competitive and sustainable business ecosystems.
